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Skills Writers Can Learn From Diplomats

Who knew those stoic-looking people in boring suits could make you a better writer

By Lynda CokerPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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Photo by Alvin Mahmudov on Unsplash

Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any. ~Orson Scott

As a writer, aren’t we all looking for inspiration and ways to improve? We wish we had a personal mentor who could teach us valuable and unique lessons that we can apply to become great writers.

Truth is, the inspiration and lessons are all around us. But we have to see them through the eyes of understanding and curiosity. Couple that with an insatiable hunger for learning and we’ll see new things in the oddest places.

That’s how I came upon the idea for this article. I’d been curious to know how one goes about becoming a diplomat. In researching a few course guidelines, I began to see areas that could benefit me as a writer. Who knew!

Diplomatic traits and skills writers can benefit from

Master of questions

Diplomats know how to dig deep to find the questions that reveal motives and objectives.

As writers, we need to practice the same art of questioning. The tried and true example of Who, What, Where, When, and Why are essential tools of every good writer. And these factors are what readers expect to learn from articles they choose to read.

They’re always ‘curious’ and seek to understand those they’re dealing with

No diplomat would approach a negotiation without first learning about the culture, social environment, political and economic standards of the key persons involved.

As writers, we need to thoroughly understand our target audience. For example, this article is written for writers, not investment bankers, or fashion designers. When finished, it needs to address the questions and needs of a writer. The writer must feel like they have walked away from the table with a deal that benefits them, just as the participant in a diplomatic negotiation would expect.

They have the characteristics of a walking spreadsheet

Diplomats are always accumulating data, intelligence, and clues to better understand and anticipate arguments and conditions that will arise during a negotiation.

As writers, shouldn’t we have extensive draft folders filled with a myriad of ideas for future articles? Along with those ideas, do we have the research information, real-life experiences, and examples to draw reliable conclusions on the subject we write about? Interviews, photos, and case files are all items that equip us to deal with these subjects.

Diplomats are steadfast

Diplomats aren’t late or unprepared when approaching their jobs. Even when the negotiations prove to be unpleasant and troublesome, they show up!

We writers need to do the same. If we don’t show up, even when we swear there isn’t another word in us to write, can we be termed reliable? If we’re half-hearted in our writing sessions it will show up in our work. Readers will sense our indifference and cease to bother with us.

Be faithful to yourself. If you’re going to be a writer — write! It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, though it might be. It just needs to be an honest expression of your best efforts to tell your story for the benefit of your readers.

Neutralizes personal vanity

Diplomats like to win, no question about that. But, for them, winning means that the needs and expectations of those they're negotiating with are delivered to the maximum degree possible without harming either opposing side.

So, as writers, how do we neutralize our vanity? I had to think about that one for a while. The answer didn’t immediately come to mind. Then I thought about a negative comment I recently received on one of my articles. One I didn’t bother to respond to at the time.

Then it struck me. The opposite of vanity is humility. Could I express humility in the face of criticism? You bet! While I didn’t agree with the commenter’s viewpoint, I did acknowledge their view and thanked them for taking the time to read my article.

Being courteous, patient, empathetic, and mannerly are all traits of a good diplomat as well as good writers.

And when we’re dealing with other writers, do we accord them the same respect we’d like to receive. Do we negate their opinions and criticize their writing style? Are we jealous of their accomplishments to the extent that we can’t be genuinely happy for them? If so, we need to neutralize our vanity!

So the next time you have the opportunity to meet a diplomat, thank them for the opportunity to learn skills on how to be a better writer.

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About the Creator

Lynda Coker

Grab a chair, turn a page, and read a while with me. I promise to tap lightly on my keyboard so we both can stay immersed in our world of words.

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